Help Applying to Colleges that Would take a Risk on an Expelled Student?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am a student who was expelled from a top 20 university for an academic integrity violation. My academic integrity violation was a result of multiple factors, including clinical depression and pressure (I was only 5 weeks into my first semester of college when I was expelled). This happened a year ago, and I have since taken community college classes, gotten jobs/internships related to my major, and traveled the world. I think that I have proven to myself that I am ready to handle the rigor of college and have taken steps to heal from my depression/make sure a similar scenario never occurs again.</p>

<p>I am getting ready to apply as a transfer or freshman student This coming November/Next April (for Fall 2015). I only have a semester's worth of community college courses, so I could technically apply as a freshman for this coming admissions cycle.</p>

<p>My question pertains to where I should apply this coming cycle. My dean and professor of both my community college and the previous college hold me in high regard and are willing to write me recommendation letters. </p>

<p>Coming out of high school I was a very competitive applicant with a 2300 SAT and stellar extracurriculars. Since Then, I have attained a 4.0 in community college and non-degree status classes in the area. My extracurriculars have become even more impressive. I believe that my scores, grades, and extracurriculars would give me a good shot at transferring to any school, if not for the academic integrity violation.</p>

<p>What schools would take a risk on a student like me? My top choices right now would be UIUC, UMich, Berkeley, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, William and Mary, and Cornell (public and private institutions with high transfer rates). Am I aiming too high? I know that I have become a better person because of the experience, and that I have learned enough to never make those same mistakes again. But I am somewhat doubtful that such prestigious colleges would want to give someone like me a second chance.</p>

<p>How should I frame my application so that the above colleges will entertain my candidacy, and what other schools should I consider?</p>

2

<p>If the previous college holds you in such high regard, why aren’t they readmitting you? Did you not get enough comments from your first thread? Wait for more answers but it is going to be very difficult to find anyone who has experience with this? Have you thought of contacting professional admissions advisers to find if any have experience with this? If your family can afford it, that may be the way to go.</p>

3

<p>My previous college had their hands tied in regards to the expulsion. The board voted for my expulsion, but the dean and professor remained sympathetic to my situation. My first thread was more of a question of “should I transfer or apply as a freshman?”. What I’m trying to get out of this thread is “what colleges should I apply to”. Professional admissions advisers are very expensive, and I feel as though my best chance is being genuine as opposed to hiring counselors to put together something for me.</p>

4

<p>Well I was thinking more for guidance and experience with selective college admissions and expulsion cases. If you are going to go it on your own, apply widely to a number of tiers, including the colleges people usually transfer into from your CC, and whatever directionals are available in case that turns out to be your only choice Good luck.</p>